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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Last year I was interviewed—along with Denny O'Neil, Matthew Dow Smith and other folks—for a short documentary on the comic book industry called Out of Print. The film was created by Joseph Ciano, Rich Ford, Ryan Resko, Amy West and the SUNY New Paltz Media Department. Here it is in its entirety. Enjoy!

And, as an added bonus, here's a short outtake that focuses on my work with Keith Giffen, Kevin Maguire, Andy Helfer and Company on the Justice League titles.

70 comments:

First off, agreed about the middle ground. I think that somewhere along the way comic books forgot how to continue a story and still be able to grab new readers. However, I do think that having a history to go back and explore is part of the fun. Thus the need for middle ground.

I will say i am glad i missed that ipad group the comic store owner mentioned, even if it is just barely by his standards. that being said, most people I know who read comics, even those who fall into that age group, still prefer the physical. I do however think that the digital thing fails to bring in new readers for the same reasons you mention. It seems the industry just think, "kids love digitized things!" You would still have to get them to read them.

Also, I think this thing is dead wrong on something, comics are more respected. Well, maybe not dead wrong, but wrong. They may be MORE respected, but not respected. I think when most people saw the Nolan Batman films they didn't think, "WOW! comics are more adult than I thought!" I think it was more like," WOW! They took a comic and made it adult!"

My truest feeling is that digitization will undo comics, and instead just lead to animation on the Marvel and DC websites.

In the end it all comes down to two statements:

Comic books can be saved. The comic book industry cannot save comics.

I know this seem contradictory, but it is not. All the industry can really do is make it easier (Longer reading time, lower prices, both easy to do), in the end though the only ones that can save comics this time is the fans. I'm sorry, but you guys are out of the fight on this one. You guys need to get your fans to be better fans, and bring in more of them. 1/3 give or take of the people at my local comic shop are under 30. There are teenagers who read comics. Comics are easily enjoyed by older readers. The industry just needs to get its fans together, and use these facts. Comics need to be cheaper, and digitization won't do that since it is the internal workings that make it expensive. Comics need to go back to being more than 4 minutes to read. But the rest, we the fans need to do that. People by in large have been on a down trending line in reading for 30-40 years. If you are born after 1990, then saying you don't read isn't weirs, I remember when it was and i am a relatively young man! If someone reads regularly, you have to try to get comics to one of them. It really is our responsibility at this point. We al need to be better fans.

And... I would think creating a popular web comic would take more knowledge of marketing. Afterall there is a lot of internet, and you have to know where to advertise on the cheap to let people know, a store is only so big, someone will see it.

I'm just glad i am in the physical form of info, even if it is just barely according to that guy. thank God for small favors.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

P.S. you said the internet lets creators interact with fans more. That is nonsense, sorry, but it is. I think that if you representing creators, and me fans of comics put our minds together on this site for a million years we couldn't find one place on the internet where that is true. A nice dream though.

Lots of interesting points, Jack, but I'm not going to specifically answer anything...mainly because I'm dealing with a wretched flu right now and can hardly form a coherent thought.Maybe someone else would like to step in...?

Creators and fans interacting on the internet is nonsense? What are we doing now? What do I do every day on Twitter? (Or is my mind so flu-fogged that I'm missing the joke?)

Glad you enjoyed it, Jack. I'll be taking over the full writing chores on PS with #9 -- which I believe comes out in June -- continuing to build on the great work Dan Didio has done with the character and his world.

I think you're right about Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Jack. The line I heard over and over again was, "It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film period"--as though there was a clear distinction to be made.

If we talked like that about everything else, we'd all be running around saying inane stuff like, "It's not just a delicious cookie, it's a delicious baking product!"

That said, the person who gets the least respect in the room is typically the one constantly asking for it. So maybe the best thing that ever happened to comics is that fans got in on the pop culture joke. It's generally an affectionate joke, and we can ALL laugh along with shows like THE BIG BANG THEORY because we know the stereotype doesn't define us. On the flip side, there's no need to act as though we're all deadly serious and there's nothing to the cariactures. Perfect humility dispenses with false modesty, as the saying goes.

It might also help if we didn't act as though there's only two comics in the history of comics worth reading. I've gotten to the point where I roll my eyes when interviewers ask, "What comic would you recommend to a friend who doesn't read comics?"

Can you imagine if everyone who'd ever been asked a similar question about American film ALWAYS said, without fail, either CITIZEN KANE or THE GODFATHER? And I mean EVERYONE.

An outsider would inevitably come to the conclusion that American films suck pretty bad if there's no room for discussion.

To riff on Kindergarten Cop's "There is no bathroom!" line:

"There is no WATCHMEN! There is no DARK KNIGHT RETURNS!"

And as my final point: please stop killing teenage sidekicks! Don't know if it will bring people in, but it's not very fun for those of us sticking around. :)

I've already discussed Doctor M with Keith Giffen: he might be just perfect for our new LARFLEEZE book. Who can resist a villain who remembers every life he ever lived and laughs for an hour at a time?

I was especially interested to learn that Marvel allowed comic book store owners to track how many customers had used the digital download codes, with the implication that most comic book store customers prefer print so much that they don't bother to use it. (Of course, Marvel only allows you to redeem the code through their app, which means you need an iPad. Doesn't work through comixology.)

There definitely needs to be a price incentive. At a time when Americans are cutting back on luxuries like Starbucks, they're not looking to pick up new expensive habits.

Also interesting that sales on serial comics don't tend to benefit from films, but those attached to independent or finite works do.

Good news for BLOOD, right? Now we just need a SAVIOR 28 or AUGUSTA WIND film!

Outtake was great, too. Sounds like you came pretty close to never working with Keith Giffen. You should go meta and write a comic where your chance collaboration never happens, creating a parallel universe where Guy Gardner conquers the universe (having never been humbled by one punch).

Bringing things full circle with Dr. M and Larfleeze , maybe one of the offenses he suffered in a past life is that comic guy who told him that he'd make a mint off X-FORCE 1 one day!

Thanks for the insights, David. And I love the idea of a parallel universe where Guy Gardner was never humbled by "one punch." But, wait, wouldn't that be the current DCU? "One punch" happened in the OLD universe!

I also agree about a price incentive for digital comics. And if I had more brain cells at the moment (and less flu) I'd discuss it in detail! Another time...

Hi, J. M.! If I got you right, I agree with you, in that I think that, ever since Batman: The Animated Series, animation speaks to more people than comics. Additionally, I enjoy how they are a lot more consistent. When The Batman came up, I hated that they broke up with the "DCAU", but now I enjoy how every new animated continuity is a fresh take on the same characters. That being said, the Brave and the Bold continuity should have lasted a lot longer. Ideally, moving on to focus on JLI, Aquaman, Superman or all of them in a variety format. I heard a rumor that Young Justice and Green Lantern got cancelled due to low toy sales, if that's true, I wonder if it'd have been better to stick with B:B&B.

I think some runs, when isolated from the rest of the continuity, have that kind of consistency, the Giffen-DeMatteis run on JLI-Super Buddies is a fine example. Not only that, they made DC a more likable universe. When everybody was going grim and adult, it was really great to see a title doing bright and humorous. I really can't believe DC somehow seems to resist going back to the most successful aspects of JLI or taking opportunities to reintroduce the characters that were killed off or derailed after Super Buddies (Ted, Max, Dmitri, Sue, Ralph). What's not to love about them?

Any chance of seeing something with the JLI or Super Buddies in the DC Nation shorts? I have to insist, whether it's action-comedy or straight comedy, they would make a killer show (or live action sitcom) for Cartoon Network (or Adult Swim).

When BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD was heading toward the end, Rafa, there was talk about using it as a platform to transition into a JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL series. (The JLU showed up in several episodes; I was delighted that I got to write two of them.) I thought it was a brilliant way to continue the B & B mix of adventure and humor, but, for unknown reasons, the idea was scuttled. I was hugely disapointed: I would have loved to have been part of an ongoing JLI animated series.

No plans that I know of to revive our JLI in comics, either, but the good news is that Keith Giffen and I are teaming up again for a new DC book, out in June, focusing on the Orange Lantern named LARFLEEZE. We're looking forward to a run of big, cosmic adventures, leavened with Giffen-DeMatteis style humor. Just about to start the first issue and I can't wait.

Well, who knows, maybe they'll want the animated JLI to return in form of DC Nation shorts (if so, please, don't forget about certain ductile detective and his lovely wife, or that lovable sleazebag, or, oh, forget it there were so many great characters there!).

Larfleeze is great news. I was under the impression that DC was getting scared of comedy. Hopefully, they will start trusting the genre again.

Have you ever considered doing something with superheroes for Adult Swim? There might be no toy pressure and more artistic license there. I'm surprised that Warner has not made connections between DC and that network.

I've thought about Adult Swim, Rafa, if only because my son works there. Don't know if they're wonderfully warped POV would work with DCU characters, although they probably would work with the Giffen-DeMatteis universe. Maybe one day...!

And you're right: JLI would be perfect for a DC Nation animated short.

Oh, so many possibilities!! Even if it wasn't a DC thing, I'd love to see an animated version of your stories with Kevin's style.

I totally agree on what you said about free lance. I just did a thesis sort of work on job production vs. mass production and I got kinda depressed after realizing how ungrateful JP can be. However, getting to the point in which you can do mass production is very hard as well (unless you have money).

Have you been checking the JLI art he has been uploading this month to Facebook? "Amazing" feels like an understatement. You can tell he still loves JLI like his baby. However, it has to be said that AH!'s JLI is something that I wouldn't want any other way. I just love his covers. How come he ended up doing the Who's Who JLI art?

There are somethings mentioned there, I feel should be corrected. First, the digital downloads are not really free. They are only in$4.00 comics and in all of them, basically you are paying a dollar for something that is apparently not wanted. Also, comics are not just in comic shops. I frequently see them in book stores along with other periodicals, hell, I was a Toys R US today shopping for a gift and saw a bunch right next to the action figures of those characters. But, yes of course, they are not as prevalent as when I was a lad and they were at Perry Drugs(always wondered was that a national chain or just regional?).

That having been said, I have seen no proof digitization will "save" comics.

As far as cheaper goes, I don't really see how that is possible. The fact is the product is a small part of the price. Last time I bought a CD, a month or so ago, it was about $10.00. On the CD were a little over 10 songs. More or less the same amount it would be if I owned an ipod and bought the songs individually. Even digitized newspaper subscriptions are comparable to a physical paper. Digitization really does not make it cheaper.

That being said, even if the two are locked in a same price zone, that does not mean that prices can not go down. Both Marvel and DC are subsidiaries of larger companies, as this video stated. In fact Marvel claimed that this would keep prices down, but with in a year most of their most popular properties jumped in price, by a dollar...completely going pat a $0.25 or $0.50 increase. Yes, the company still has to make a profit, but with a larger company owning them this should cut back on much of the overhead that is the real origin of prices. Marvel and DC just have to take advantage of this. Also, if they cut back on the house ads and instead used ads from other companies this would help the prices as well. Once again being part of a larger group is good for this as well, since plenty of people want Disney and Werner Brothers ad time. Just be creative and offer discounted rates for comics if purchased with other media. If they did all of this, the price of the average comic book could easily drop from3-4 dollars to 2.40 or maybe, MAYBE even $2.00

However keep in mind there is another economic principle at work here, ant that is if something is too cheap people assume it is worthless. 1.50-2.50 is a fairly good range though.

Of course comic companies need to have comics that take longer than 5 minutes too read too. largely by having more words, yes old school guys like you and Peter David understand when to use a lot of words, and when to loose a few, but more modern writers seem to use less and less. A dollar a minute is phone sex prices. I know editorial mandates cause friction, but this one is slightly different.

But if I am perfectly honest, it is the fans that have to help the industry this time.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

By the way, feeling any better Dematteis? I know Flus can either be very short or linger forever.

and

David: Loved the movie analogy with "Citizen Kane" and "The Godfather." As Dematteis would say, "Brilliant!" That's right Dematteis i know your rhythms.

Of course the people on this site alone could save comics with their brilliance. Save? More like push to the forefront of world consciesness. Hell, why am I being modest, Dematteis, using us as a brain trust could rule all of media, I'm still waiting for that live stage Moonshadow I recommended... that's deity potential right there!

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

Re: CITIZEN KANE and GODFATHER analogy. Thanks! I was rather proud of that one.

Interesting news on the digital front lately:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=44223

Marvel Comics announced a promotion on Sunday where over 700 'first appearances' would be free. The response was so overwhelming it crashed the comixology server and you still can't get access to your account!

I see this as bad news/ good news. The bad news is they weren't prepared for this kind of demand. Yet.

But the good news is that price and initiatives clearly matter. And yeah, we're talking free, but I can't help but think this line of thinking translates into the difference between a $2 and $4 comic. If you slash prices, they will come.

The thing about a digital comic is that once it's out there, no more production costs. Just royalties and the overall cost of maintaining a relationship with digital outlets. So I don't believe that digital comics NEED to be full price for Marvel to make a profit.

I think it comes down to the fear that digital comics will undercut the direct market before the industry is ready for the transition. The direct market took a big hit in the 90s and in a lot of ways the guys who are still around are the industry's heroes, the torchbearers. Because if everyone had bailed when times got rough there wouldn't be a comic industry to speak of. So you obviously don't want to screw these guys for a variety of reasons, some of them practical, some of them moral.

But the film makes an interesting point in that the digital customer really isn't the same as the brick-and-mortar guy, and the comic store owner didn't seem to be afraid the digital market would take his business.

Mark Waid is no stranger to the writing and business side of things, and he's made the case that digital comics should cost a $1. That sounds right to me! (BTW, Jack, the phone sex prices line is hilarious!)

Another consideration that comes to mind--and I'm not sure how to answer it, as I have no experience on the business side--is how to make sure creators are compensated well.

There's a dark side to the way Jack Kirby was able to crank out so much work like his family's future depended on it--it did! On some level I'd love for comics to be seen as 'cheap' and 'dispensable'and sell like hotcakes, but I don't want JMD to be on the side of the road with a sign that signs "Will write comics for food!"

You're right on target re: Jack Kirby, David. And I know that reality all-too well. Life in the freelance trenches is, as I've often said, like tap-dancing on quicksand. You've got to dance incredibly well so that people will notice and give you work and you've got to dance really REALLY fast so you won't sink.

Freelance life sounds intense, JMD. Though on some level you've only got yourself to blame for emptying the Swiss bank accounts and buying all those beach houses after you made a mint on GREENBERG THE VAMPIRE! :)

Believe it or not, it was a promo for VH1's new "Behind the Comics" special.

Here's some shocking excerpts:

"I've known Marc was pushing too hard, too fast ever since the day I got the call from Jim Shooter. He knew I'd always dreamed of writing a comic and asked me if I'd finish off Marc's Captain America run. We came up with a cover story about an aborted story arc, but the truth is Marc was nowhere to be found when the script was due. By the time we'd found the guy, he'd blown ten million dollars in Vegas and had nothing to show for it but a lifesize replica of Bill Shatner made out of rice pudding. That was the first and last comic script I ever wrote. Truth be told, the comic lifestyle was just too fast for me. I mean, the cons, the drugs, the trashed hotels, the groupies. Those guys throw money around like it's nothing. So I went back to to my band, playing shows with KISS and AEROSMITH. And I've never looked back."--Michael Ellis

"We all knew Marc had been losing it ever since they canceled FAMILY TIES, but no one wanted to say anything. His work was getting...darker. He was obsessed with killing off Spider-Man's entire supporting cast. And I mean ANYONE who'd ever even shown up in a Spider-Man comic. He'd come running into my office in a fit of inspiration with insane titles like: "Frog-Man, Frog Legs!" or "The Day the Mustache Died!" This was getting to be an everyday thing. When he asked if anyone had killed the kid who saw Peter climbing the building in AMAZING FANTASY 15 yet, I knew I had to confront him. But I was scared. I mean, we still hadn't told him we'd brought Aunt May back yet. We actually hired a full-time Marvel staffer to edit her out of all the comics and hand-deliver them to Marc's doorstep. So I did the only thing I could. I joined the Editor Relocation Program. Last I heard he re-killed the entire DOOM PATROL on a kid's cartoon! The guy's nuts!" --Anonymous

Man, miss a little, miss a lot. Now, it has been an odd couple of days for me, so some slack can be cut, but I will try to connect everything as best I can.

First, David, now it is my turn to say thanks. Thank you for the feed back about phone sex. (I really hopesomeone starts reading here and is royally confused)

Now, I only meant the price is fixed with digital and print for new issues. I am sorry, I forgot to mention that. Of course old comics can be cheaper, all you really have to do is go down to the Marvel and DC morgue and scan them in (hint hint Dematteis if there are any classic tales you are dying to read).

I do think the best way to boost readership is through what I call the DVD theory. You see, many people these days will start watching a TV show as a DVD, and then either continue watching it as a DVD or on TV at its regular programming. I think this is a good way for comics to grow. Digital or print, won't give a lot of people what they want. I think many people would read comics if they can wait longer and pick up books with several issues in them.

I really think it comes down to the fans. Let me tell you a story. A few years ago I was rummaging around the Science Fiction section of the book store. I wanted an anthology, because I realized i had been reading largely the same authors. I wanted something new. I wanted a sampling. But everything was by author, or by theme. I didn't want to commit to any one writer that much, what if I hated them and the stories where useless to me. And a theme book could be nice, but not what I was looking for me. Then it dawned on me, I walked over to the periodicals and picked up a Science Fiction literary magazine. It had been a while since I had. I was being a bad fan. How could others get there start? What if a story was good , but would never be in an anthology?

I realized the importance of being a good fan to your medium. I feel that companies can't bring people in as they need to, it has to be us. Lend comics, buy them as gifts. And for God's sake pester people to read them. After all, every comic fan knows there is a funnybook for everyone, the trouble is getting it in there hands. To a certain extent i believe a physical copy is better. A link is easily forgotten, and often deleted, even by someone you like and respect. But an actual thing is a constant reminder. And of course this won't bring everyone in, but it will bring in some.

Now to prove your film analogy is not only clever, but right i will tell another story. When I was a teenager i would lend people comics, but I didn't own Watchmen or Dark Knight Returns, I had read other people's copies. I lent people Kraven's Last Hunt, Frank Miller's Daredevil, and plenty more that were just plain old fashioned good. Most of those people wanted more. Some even started buying them. However, when Watchmen the film came out, many people read it, but never picked up another comic. They viewed it as a deviation, not an introduction. The hype seemingly hurt everything else.= in the medium.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

P.S. as far as that Dematteis guy goes, if he isn't up pacing sleepless ion fear a check for his child's tuition will bounce, then he doesn't understand the human condition enough to be a writer. flu test

I think the "good fan" theory is interesting, Jack, and that certainly is part of the formula. But another part of the formula—regardless of if the book is digital or print—is creating ACCESSIBLE comic books with stories that can appeal to a broad audience, beyond the hard-core fans. I blather on about it in the documentary, so I won't repeat myself here.

I think you've hit the nail on the head about WATCHMEN being a deviation not an intro. That's why it blew everyone's mind in the comics community at the time. But it certainly doesn't give a very good sense of the wonder and play at work in the best mainstream comics, just like DARK KNIGHT RETURNS gives one a HORRIBLE take on Superman.

I sort of covered the companies responsibility in my earlier post by saying they can prep it. But they can churn out as many different stories as they want, but I think it won't bring them in. Hell, I as a long time fan would want to see more types of stories from the big two, and i love the masks. Also, Marvel and DC don't always do the best job of differentiating between the tones of there comics. The New 52 seemed very homogenous to me.

The thing about Watchmen to me is, almost all of those themes (except for the overt sexual ones) had been in comics for a while, and in the 60's and 70's where very much on the radar. Watchmen just cut out the stuff put in to make it accessible to younger folk. I give my brothers a trade for birthdays, Holidays and what have you (along with other stuff don't worry I'm not THAT much of a jackass). One of them was already somewhat versed in comics from his teenage years, so I started on a less traditional route. For all intents and purposes though, he was new to comics. The other sibling I gave Watchmen to. My guess Watchmen-brother saw it on times 100 best novels of the 20th century (which I don't think it should be on)... the point is, he barely looks at the others I've given him (which include Kraven's Last Hunt, Moonshadow, Daredevil: Born Again, Gerber era Man-thing, and Astro City) He just has trouble accepting it as worth his time, as an actual medium of quality. My other brother actually goes to the comic book store near him about once a month. Now obviously there are many things that can contribute to this, but I think my choice in first comic was one. Maybe I should have slipped another story in with Watchmen.

And try telling someone who just read Watchmen about other great comics, 9 out of 10 times they won't really care.

One of the guys who works at the comic shop I frequent actually read Watchmen and DKR a couple years after it came out, was incredibly excited, then didn't pick up any more comics for a while. It wasn't until his now ex-wife bought him some superman comics to read when he was sick, years later, that he became a comic fan.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

It's really amazing the impact WATCHMEN has had, Jack. But I hear what you're saying about it being a "one-stop shopping" kind of book (for some people, at least) that doesn't lead to people reading more comics. And that's a shame.

I should probably clarify that when I say Miller's take on Superman in TDKR is horrible, I don't mean that as a slight to what he accomplished. He clearly intended to play Superman off as a foil for Batman's anti-establishment ideology, and he does that very well.

I meant that it would be horrible if someone who never had any other exposure to the character walked away thinking that's who Superman is. And I guess some people with plenty of exposure to Superman would agree with the characterization, though I certainly don't!

On a side note, I think GREENBERG THE VAMPIRE is ripe for a live action treatment. I know Marvel's not exactly chomping at the bit to get this thing rolling, but man, I chuckle every time I think about the line, "Bram Stoker is an ----" Greenberg is the everyman's vampire. He doesn't kill OR glitter--win/win!

Also, I'd like to see an Anthology movie based on PKD stories. No real point, just something I was thinking about that vaguely applies.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

P.S. I finally got my latkes a week back. Good for the soul indeed. It was the first time I tried Strawberry Jam with them. pretty good. Did you know they aren't Jewish in origin? I feel I should have known that, but I didn't

I actually pitched GOING SANE as a DCU animated film a couple of years ago, Jack. As you can see, nothing much came of the idea. I also pitched an animated KRAVEN to Marvel Animation; that, too, went nowhere. Maybe some day...

Up until recently, the problem with a SAVIOR 28 would have been that a mainstream audience might not get the contrast and comparison with comic tropes. But Marvel Studios and the Nolan film trilogy have changed that (and there's actually one explicit reference to the BATMAN BEGINS scene where Bruce refuses to kill the criminal and then blows up the building). So I think it would help people get the full effect (of course, the story works on its own, too).

GREENBERG is interesting in that it might be one of the first narratives to deal with a vampire culture that doesn't kill humans. I'm not an expert in the genre, so I can't say for sure. But it wasn't until INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE that the idea of some vampires fighting back their bloodlust really exploded as a cultural phenomenon. And then it progressed to the point where vampires can be romantic leads.

Greenberg is a lot of fun because he's not a killer, but he's still a man's man so to speak, not a teenage girl's fantasy. It would be fun to play with a character who falls between the Bram Stoker and Stephanie Meyer extremes.

Hard to believe Marvel turned down a KLH animated film, but then they've really fallen behind when compared to DC's animated film output. It's the one department where DC just kills Marvel.

Surprised there's no GOING SANE in the works--seems like it would be right up Timm and Dini's alley. It deserves not only to be made but to get the Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill voice treatment.

Jack, no need for a D in your name. It would only confuse me. I associate Jack with hipness and goodwill from here to the stars. So much so that wherever hipness and goodwill might arise, I now think, "That's so Jack!"

I never thought about the fact that Greenberg may have been one of the first vampires who didn't seek out human blood, David. Come to think of it, my Andrew Bennett character from I...VAMPIRE (done a year or two before GREENBERG) also resisted taking human life. I see a pattern here...!

glad i don't need a "D" in my name, Dack just seems like a Hippie name.

I'm not surprised Going Sane was passed on though, I love it, but the action is more emotional and psychological than physical. That would have fit in great with Batman: The Animated Series, but it doesn't seem to be what they want in their one off movies. I think as these projects go on they will widen the ideas they are willing to accept. A pitch may be possible then.

I don't remember much of the Marvel animated movies, since the Dr. Strange one is the only one I bought, but I remember it trying to be more youth oriented, and more ultimate universe based. And of course they where hoping for franchise, opposed to DC's current adapting policies, so I am again not surprised.

An animated Spirit movie would be good though. Made up of vignettes though, not one long story. And NO FRANK MILLER.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

No, latkes are actually German in origin. This is posibly from Jew who emigrated from Germany, or from American history. In the late 19th and early 20th century, many Jewish and German gentile immigrants got along better than almost any other immigrant groups in history. The Polish also where part of this group. Because they ll came from the same part of the world, spoke the same languages, and where on the same wrung of society they got along quite well. Because of this it is not uncommon to see a lot of crossover in the two cultures, or at least there was until the post war years when German Americans by enlarge separated themselves from there heritage. One of the best examples of this comes from the fact that the most common food associated with Jews other than kosher is Deli food. Deli is short for delicatessen, which is German for, "Delicacies of home." In fact this relationship is often considered to be a part of the reason why German Americans where one of the largest groups in America to denounce Nazi Germany. Of course it was also to distance themselves from fascism. Bundists made up a very small portion of the larger group of German Americans.

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

I think there's plenty of physical action to go with the emotional action in GOING SANE, Jack—but I see your point. There ARE whole sections where "Joe Kerr" is dealing with his relationship with Rebecca and Batman is recovering with Dr. Eagles; but they're intercut with action flashbacks and I think it could work and work well.

Basically, they make the argument that TBBT jumped from a show that wasn't even in the top 40 to the second highest rated on television because of syndication.

"You're kind of forced to watch the show now," joked actor Simon Helberg, one of the show's stars, Wednesday night on the PaleyFest arrivals line. "We're shoving it down people's throats, and then they're learning that they love that."

I'm not sure how we could translate that into the digital realm, but there's got to be a way to push comics into a mainstream audience's consciousness by being more...ubiquitious.

Maybe Marvel could hire whoever's responsible for those annoying pop-up ads to start throwing old issues of AVENGERS in people's faces. And then offer subscriptions that include digital and print.

It's very true: there have been a number of shows—BIG BANG and SEINFELD among them—that got me hooked after they were in syndication and I could sample a number of episodes in a row and really get a feeling for it. The original STAR TREK hit the same way:people got hooked watching it every single day in the early 70's and THEN it became a phenomenon.

How that translates to comics, I don't know. Watching is passive, reading is active...and it's much easier to get people to sit on the couch and watch a half hour sitcom than it is to get them to actively use their minds and imaginations and READ.

Well, I believe i mentioned Scott, from my local comic shop. His (now ex-) wife just randomly bought him comics when he was sick, after Watchmen and DKR thrilled him but not hook him. After those Superman comics she bought he was a fan. There are all kinds of times people need something to read, sick, plane rides, long trips. Hell, even a trade is a shorter read than many books, if you just can get someone interested enough to give it a whirl your half way there. Be creative.

There are plenty of musicians, songs, and TV shows i started watching just because someone kept bugging me about it. Or i felt guilty after they got it for me as a gift. Sometimes I think we fans are our own worst enemies. We know its an odd hobby (and it is to the public at large) and we don't want to have to defend ourselves, so en to those who know we read comics we don't really briong it up that often. Even though we know there IS a comic for everyone. Hell, Road to Perdition was Academy Award nominated wasn't it?

Wishing you nothing, but goodwill and hipness from here to the stars,Jack

My mom's first experience with comics was actually when she was diagnosed with juvenille diabetes and had a long stay in the hospital. Her grandmother bought her a sack full of comics. I once bought her a framed comic of Batgirl's first appearance for her birthday, which was her favorite among them.

She fast grew out of the habit and never looked back, though. She's a prolific reader, sometimes putting away one or two novels a week. But she doesn't like comics.

She loves the comic book movies, though. She went to see Bryan Singer's first X-MEN with me almost out of obligation, and now she loves them all. She was like, "I finally get why you love these characters!"

My father's father owned a local grocery store that stocked comics. My dad was at the mercy of the comic gods, though, as there was no consistency. One week it's ACTION COMICS, the next it's X-MEN.

He still resents Lee/Romita's big two-parter because he was left hanging with Green Goblin having discovered Pete's identity and captured him. To this day, I don't think he's ever read ASM 40, though maybe he did catch it in a reprint eventually.

He's never been as into comics as he once was, but he always stocked me up on them when I was a kid, and he's bought my half sister several of the ESSENTIAL ASM volumes.

His first Spider-Man comic was ASM 15, the first appearance of Kraven. To this day I've never told him that my favorite writer killed The Hunter!